Sorry if you didn't win but hey it's so good round here at the Beach Cottage you get another giveaway to enter today…
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I guess I'm not a vintage or white purist, I love some modern thrown in with the whole vintage vibe, I suppose that's nothing new, and I love some colour in with the white, which is one of the reasons I like to decorate with it. It's such an easy neutral to use as a backdrop for playing house and decorating, which if you've been with me for a while, you'll know is something I do way too much.
So, on the weekend, we had the pleasure of nice friends over for some G & T's on the deck and what a gorgeous hand-picked bouquet they arrived with, specially delivered and wrapped …there is, I believe, nothing much better than flowers arranged and delivered by a gorgeous little fair-haired gal is there?
Yesterday, after the weekend felt but a distant memory and all was quiet at the cottage, after I spent long long hours on my knees scrubbing the floors I thought I might do myself a little bit of arranging…no one is ever gonna complain about flowers nicely arranged on the side are they?
But actually I did little more than place the flowers in the pitcher, they had already been beautifully arranged by cute little hands. And how fabulous that they tied-in perfectly with my new print, recently arrived over the oceans to my little Beach Cottage letter box from a very talented girl..sweet Tess from Concord, North Carolina and her chic little shop where she designs & creates, happily inspired by all things natural and island living
When I came across these prints I loved the simple modern style and thought they would work nicely here with the vintage pieces, all the neutrals, white and wood floors and I just loved this green one, funny really cos I don't usually do green.
And I just love to simply layer things up, no fuss, nice and laid-back, no frame – I think it adds that little touch of modern colour propped up casually on the old vintage meat safe…what do you think, do you like it with the white, the putty, and the flowers?
And how fantastic that Tess is offering Beach Cottage readers the chance to win $50 to spend on her site. Simply leave a comment on this post to enter…
Comments will be closed Friday 18th at midnight.
I'm signing off, it's been a very long, exhausting day full of athletics carnivals, swimming squads and lunch boxes – the bathtub is running as I type, filled with my fave vanilla bubbles, a bottle of something cold on the side and the rest of the evening spent laying on that sofa up there with somone, if I am very very lucky massaging my feet
you can find more casual layering with coastal-prints here, more on my floristry journey here, and more blooms around the Beach Cottage here
and if you have your own small home-based business/Etsy shop and would like to sponsor these little Beach Cottage comps then you can go to the Giveway Page for more info
I guess I’m getting to know your house as I could immediately tell from your first pic that something was different. Love the flowers, the new print, your layered mirrors and that sweet strand of pearl beads strung over them.
Here’s to another shot at the giveaway! Thanks Sarah.
my husband hates you!
we had just moved into our new house, painted and all…and then I discovered your blog and fell in love with your house! and to make things worse…I think that this whole white, coastal, vintage theme would be perfect for my house and my current-no-more-color-please mood!
That’s why my husband hates you…because every single day I bug him about repainting the whole thing and to back up my case I usually end up showing him your photos…I think I may have seen a crack…yeah!!!
love from Greece!
it’s all about the layering isn’t it? I think once I caught on to that concept I was a lot happier with life! You do it so beautifully and the best part of it is, if it doesn’t look right, you can change it in the twinkling of an eye! thanks for sharing all of your great ideas!
the stems and the print match beautifully and both can be moved wherever on a whim. love that.(are those white ranunculas? i’ve never seen white before) nothing like scrubbing a floor to earn that time on the sofa (altho’ i take time on the sofa withOUT scrubbing the floor…) your photos capture the charm of your cottage and i am inspired by the feel to keep “charming up” my own place.jkj
Sarah, your arrangements are beautiful. I love the print. I love the flowers. I just want to melt into your cushions on that lovely white couch and take a little nap.
Love the layering of items and the print fits perfectly. What really caught my eye though was the black bent wire basket/bowl on you coffee table and the black trim on your lampshade. Fantastic look !!!
Have a happy day.
Vicki
The sign is too cute. It’s nice these days to put words up as a reminder to ourselves to live in the moment and make the most of our time here. Thanks for sharing and I would love to win.
G'day! I'm Sarah, I live in a tatty old cottage, near the sea in Australia with a battered old deck & a big old fig tree out the back...stripped wooden floors, old sash windows & a jumble of vintage furniture. [Read More …]
G’day ladies, oooh have I got a good Beach Cottage recipe for you or have I got a good recipe for you. Well it’s actually not Beach Cottage, I cannot claim that… So, a couple of months ago I met up with a couple of blogging friends, AllConsuming and Mrs W for a lil [...]
G'day ladies, let's have a Too Easy Beach Cottage recipe yeah? The original place for Too Easy Recipes on the web ;-)
So, after my last salad went down a storm in my inbox, that's here if you missed it, I had to do this one seeing as I make it most weeks.
There is a problem with this salad and kiddos though...it looks, well, it looks, kinda yucky...but once they try it, they'll ask if and when they are next having it....at least that's what happens in this ratty old cottage...but I must interject here that my kiddos are 'good eaters'? ...they didn't get a choice in that ;-)
Now, stop, don't start running and hitting that next on your blog reading list, pulses are your best friend in the Too Easy Dump & Go kitchen for the busy mum, or busy anyone for that matter...that reminds me I must blog the garlic canneloni Go To for when you forgot to do dinner, feel like a bath but have three ravenous young Beach Cottage Kiddos on your hands...another day.
I am almost embarrassed to tell you how easy this is, we have it so much that I always have a couple, make that six, cans of lentils around and a jar of goat's cheese in the fridge...the great thing about this is that it's all too easy to get ready in just a few minutes, but it looks, tastes and seems like you did oh so very much more than that.
You can obviously too change it up a bit depending on what you have to hand in your kitchen, and I must say that is how I settled on this version...because one day when I made it I didn't have enough Parsley in the garden and so I chucked in some basil too, and liked the Summer feel it added.
I think of this as being a rather posh salad, not sure why, because it couldn't really be further from the truth...the great thing is that it works so well for an average run of the mill day, (when I did this for this blog post, it was a hot Sydney Sunday and I did it just simply to go with Rosemary & Garlic stuffed pork, you can see that pork here),
...but just as easily it works on a regular old Wednesday night when you have lost all enthusiasm for rustling up yet another meal, or indeed on Saturday night, when your friends are on their way over for dinner and you my friend, are in your new vintage inspired clawfoot bathtub (that's me in a few weeks time, k?) without any clothes on, a tipple and no idea what to cook for dinner...
I have a complicated and ever-changing relationship with goat's cheese...it never fails me in its performance and it never fails to impress me (you can find out a bit more on what I like in food here if you like) and I kinda collect it...because it's very easy to collect and has a fairly long fridge-life, I love trying out different ones and there's not many things I love more than goat's cheese on sourdough...but I think the best thing about it is not thinking about it exclusively in the toast/salad department...I've stuffed it in chicken and all sorts of things as a last minute and it's been fab.
But let's get down to the nitty gritty of this super salad that makes you look like an angel who has been on her knees all day scrubbing the front step when really you are in the digital world and spent most of ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, howdy, howdy howdy today for a Beach Cottage Too Easy recipe.
If you like cake, cream, sugar and chocolate, make this.
This is, rather than a recipe, a putting it together...as you know I am no dessert maker, but, I do make quite a few sweet things, because, somehow I have ended up with kiddos, who in their roles as offspring, believe that part of the deal, is that not only do I feed them a home-cooked meal with a few homegrown ingredients in there, yes, they also believe that dessert and not the kind that comes out of a packet is included too in this All-Inclusive Deal they call Parenthood.
So, this, for sure, is no culinary masterpiece, but if you are looking for something that is so very easy, dump-able, uses everyday ingredients and at the same time makes you look like you spent hours pulling things together plus tastes good....well, then this is for you.
Best though, you don't make this for yourself, if you have spent the most part of your week sitting on your derriere reading blogs...this my friend ain't low in the calories department...if, however, you are treating yourself to a delight in a mason jar, this is so for you.
I first had a version of this when at dinner back in Old Blighty with a girl, I once, in another life, caught the train up from our village to London with...she was a funny thing really...I am not quite sure how we got on...she was kinda prissy and a bit bothered by too much...I would run to the train flustered, having got up late, and she would have a spreadsheet on the train times, if you know what I mean.
Anyway, a few years later when we both had bambinos, I bumped into her again and we met up for playdates and dinner sometimes....this particular night, after a lovely meal she served up little bowls of creamy, cakey fruity stuff topped off with chocolate flake...it was delicious!
She didn't serve hers in little jars like this, hers were in a champagne glass and not quite so layered as these ones, plus she used tinned fruit not fresh or frozen.
Years later when said offspring kept requesting dessert, one day I wangled together somehow these from what was around in the fridge and they've been with us ever since.
Most likely, if you ever come here for dinner, and shock horror, you dont' bring the dessert with you, this, if you are lucky, will be what you will get.
Throw it all together, sprinkle a lil bit of chocolate on the top and the blog reading past-time you so rudely left in order to make this, is my friend, your oyster.
Beach Cottage Too Easy Layered Raspberry, Cream & Sponge Dessert
1 small maderia or butter cake or a pack of cupcakes (or of course make your own)
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
8 tbsp fruit
1 x chocolate Flake or chocolate bar for grating
1. beat the cream cheese until it is soft
2. whip the cream until soft peaks form
3. combine & add the sugar through
4. cut your cake into portions
& layer into the bottom of your jar
5. add a tablespoon of fruit
6. layer on top the cream combo
7. repeat
8. grate chocolate or Flake on top
*Beach Cottage Recipe Notes : this is just a guide really, you can use any cream that you have on hand...I have made this with clotted cream (don't even go there unless you want to seriously get these babies on your thighs), with double cream and I have even, in desperate times squirted in that, ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, well I thought it was time for some blogging tips here today, alongside a few nice flowers and shells ;-)
I was recently part of a blogger discussion group over at Kidspot and a couple of hours later had a few questions from girls who couldn't make it to the live chat, one was on my Facebook page and one via email, the Facebook one I will deal with in another Real Girl Blogging Tips post...the email one asked me what essentials do I think every blog needs?
Well I have been around here for a while now doing the blogging thing, so I should know this, yeah and I mused this on my walk by the sea this morning I thought well what do you only need?
...I think it is really very easy when blogging, whether or not you are blogging up there in the lofty heights of the Super Bloggers or you are just dipping your toe in the water, to get side-tracked by 101 million different things that are 'essential' to your blog and if you are someone like me who actually gets a thrill from reading blogging tips then you are in an even worse place because you will find yourself literally buzzing with these essential things to add/do/implement on your blog.
However, walking along, gulping down that brisk sea air today (no sunshine & clouds) I thought you actually don't need any of that professional blogging stuff to be successful...but there are a few things that are pretty much crucial ...and once I started to think about it I got it down to about 5 - these are the only things that you need to concentrate on...once you have read through take a look at some of the big girl's blogs...you'll see that actually they don't have bundles of stuff on their blogs...but they do have all of these...
So here are my top things that your blog must have
1. About Page
There are all sorts of About Pages out there, and if you search on it there are many different tips and ideas for what to have on yours
Whatever blogging platform you use, adding an About Me Page is easy, quick and simple and will do everything to grow your blog.
I like a long-ish About Page, I am inherently nosy and I like to know a bit more about the person but at the least you should have on it your name and where you are located. I also think a photo is good too...over the last year or so I think this has become more important in blogging - if you are hesitant about that as I was, you can try using sunglasses or a behind shot until you get comfortable.
There is nothing worse than stumbling upon a new blog and going to find out more to only be faced with a piddly little one liner About Me Page...well there is something worse, not having one at all!
2. Contact Page
The chances are someone, somewhere will want to contact you and you will be surprised what lands in your inbox once you put yourself out there on the world wide web with a blog.
Many bloggers also use this page to include details for PR's/brands that may want to contact them and some bloggers put their stats on there too.
A short, to the point and simple Contact Page works really well...whenever I have wanted to contact another blogger I am often very busy and have limited time so I don't want to hang around sifting through information looking for an email address, so concise and clear ...
G'day lovely Beach Cottage lovelies.
So, yeah, so on a roll people, so on a roll.
I feel kinda home accessory wired right now.
I am always telling people, if anyone ever listens, that blogging is all about passion, not that sort of passion, but about passion that makes one tick.
Things like this make me tick tick boom.
I love finding things that suit my budget and let me treat my home but look amazing too.
So without further adieu I introduce you, ladies of the beach, to the blue vintage glasses that I have been stroking for about a week or two now...
These glasses are from a little boutique I sometimes happen upon, this boutique sells also pet accessories, carpet cleaner, bras and compost...it's quite unique though.
And, thanks to my friend Marnie (she blogs over here, go take a look at her praying position, interesting), who just so happens to be one day having me over for a lil' Greek dinner, has let me in on the fact that we call Kmart....The KMart...with an accent ....as in 'I love The KMart'...just like her MIL does. Oh yeah. Love that.
So I have had my eye on reproduction vintage glass blue wine glasses and being trying to find real true vintage blue glasses for like ever.
Oh yes I have spied them in Frenchy boutiques, I have lusted after them in stores that I shouldn't even enter and I have put them back pretty quickly in those shops with the hand-written price tags. C'mon, you know the ones.
And, though all of the above have tempted me, muchly, really, even with my wardrobe stashing skills I just thought that, actually, I'd rather be saving that casherooni for our next trip overseas..
Hello The KMart.
Tick Tick Boom
Vintage style blue wine glasses.
Do not come to my old place and think you might pick up one of these and smile with pleasure at their handblown quality, their weight, and be secretly jealous that my wine glasses cost more than your car...friend, that would not happen...these do not feel like that...indeed these in a funny way reminded me of my baby girl, she was a tiny little thing, with stick legs, the tinsssssssiest ankles and wrists you ever did see, she slept sideways in her cot wedged in between rolled up blankets and would only settle attached to Mr Beach Cottage or I or a (dirty) pj top of mine scrunched up under her nose...the first few times I picked her up to cuddle, being used to Honeymoon Baby who weighed in at 9lbs at birth and has never really stopped growing, I nearly threw her little bird-cum-rat down covered body over my shoulder.
These glasses are like that...be careful or you might lose your wine down the front of your shirt.
But oh baby, we are not talking picking up here, we are not talking quality, we are not talking house accessory snobbery.
Beach Cottage ladies, we are talking aesthetics.
And this is what I need in my cottage.
Blue vintage style glass, paired with coastal / nautical / beach stuff on my deck.
It's The KMart.
Tune in tomorrow, tomorrow, I have more budget foofing for your home, or maybe it will be the dress that wraps me up in supermarket-chic and makes me feel like me again.
Good Day to you my friends, wanna come hang out on my deck, talk house accessories, The KMart and drink some wine from blue glasses?
Sarah
I thought I might do myself a little bit of arranging…no one is ever gonna complain about flowers nicely arranged on the side are they? 
Love the print, and the layering.
So pretty.
It’s all gorgeous – your home, the print, the flowers. You are blessed!
I guess I’m getting to know your house as I could immediately tell from your first pic that something was different. Love the flowers, the new print, your layered mirrors and that sweet strand of pearl beads strung over them.
Here’s to another shot at the giveaway! Thanks Sarah.
Would love to win! Love her turquoise and love the Miama Palms print. Love your sign and the pop of the green color! Very subtle and nice.
Please pick me! It sure would make my day.
Love the print!
What a beautiful print. It is a perfect complimentary color to my big china hutch, that dreamy green one.
Hope you are well relaxed and ready to DIY again soon!
my husband hates you!
we had just moved into our new house, painted and all…and then I discovered your blog and fell in love with your house! and to make things worse…I think that this whole white, coastal, vintage theme would be perfect for my house and my current-no-more-color-please mood!
That’s why my husband hates you…because every single day I bug him about repainting the whole thing and to back up my case I usually end up showing him your photos…I think I may have seen a crack…yeah!!!
love from Greece!
Ooh, that’s a great offer! Count me in, please! I love the flowers/print arrangement – everything looks so peaceful chez toi!
it’s all about the layering isn’t it? I think once I caught on to that concept I was a lot happier with life! You do it so beautifully and the best part of it is, if it doesn’t look right, you can change it in the twinkling of an eye! thanks for sharing all of your great ideas!
So pretty!
found your blog last week. . .love your style!! Thanks!
Beautiful as always, Sarah. Please adopt me so I can come live with you.
Love it all…especially checking in everyday on what’s happening on the other side of the world…kindred spirits…nice.
I love all the white, it is stunning. I appreciate having a chance at your giveway. Just like you I love to change things up with prints
Do we like it? What a silly question, of course we do, how could we possibly not like it? The whole arrangements looks simply beautiful.
I love white flowers. The whole room looks so serene, I just love it all!
My daughter hooked me up with your blog (She’s Tuffetblog)and I love your decorating! What a great print!
the stems and the print match beautifully and both can be moved wherever on a whim. love that.(are those white ranunculas? i’ve never seen white before) nothing like scrubbing a floor to earn that time on the sofa (altho’ i take time on the sofa withOUT scrubbing the floor…) your photos capture the charm of your cottage and i am inspired by the feel to keep “charming up” my own place.jkj
Sarah, Love love the print… totally looks like something I would do too! Your home is so inspirational – thanks for all the fun!
Oh! sign me up. I love that print too. I’m more of a blue kinda girl, but the green is rockin it in your gorgeous house!
Nature uses green as a neutral – why not you?? That green print coordinates beautifully with your pitcher of flowers! Gotta check out her site…
Sarah, your arrangements are beautiful. I love the print. I love the flowers. I just want to melt into your cushions on that lovely white couch and take a little nap.
Oooh. I would just *love* the Dandelion print, and the C’est La Vie that you own! Adorable!
Lovely flowers! white is always perfect and so is black! I would love to win your contest!
SMiles!
Michelle
I love the flowers and print, they hint at a nice breath of fresh air. LOL, I hope you know what I mean!
I also enjoyed your deck seating post – it looks so much better.
Love your blog, it’s very inspiring. Keep up the good work!
Beautiful, just beautiful.
Please throw me into the hat too!
Blessings,
Spencer
Would love to win! Her stuff is beautiful.
The green looks great w/ your decor!
Your pictures are always so lovely and inspiring. You also have a beautiful home.
Your cottage looks fabulous! Please enter me in the giveaway!
So pretty. I would love to win!
I love your layered look. I drool over your pictures each day. Please enter me in this giveaway.
I love that color of green – works with both spring freshness and fall colors.
pick me pick me! I would love to spend money at her Etsy shop.
Love it! I love that you didn’t add a frame. Great idea. I’m off to check out her website now!
love it! noticed the pop of green against the white almost right away.
thanks for sponsoring another giveaway, Sarah. Love that green print!
Great print!! Works well with your decor. Thanks for the giveaway!!!
I love the green…. it’s so pretty
Now, that’s really HOT!
The print fits my color scheme perfectly… Mhhhh…
I’d love to win! My MIL would love that print.
Love this post,so full of ideas, hope this finds you well,keep them coming!! Chrissy
I’d love to have $50 to spend there!
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
I love that pitcher!!!
Gorgeous print, it fits in so well with the shabby beach decor all fresh and spring like.
Love everything you do! So calming~just like a place on the water should be
Your flowers are so pretty and refreshing in that pitcher. Can I come over and just stare at them? Or maybe have a G&T with you?
Carrie
Love the layering of items and the print fits perfectly. What really caught my eye though was the black bent wire basket/bowl on you coffee table and the black trim on your lampshade. Fantastic look !!!
Have a happy day.
Vicki
The sign is too cute. It’s nice these days to put words up as a reminder to ourselves to live in the moment and make the most of our time here. Thanks for sharing and I would love to win.